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What Causes Heaviness In Chest And Cough?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jun 2016

Question: I have had a heaviness in my chest, in what feels like my lungs, for a couple of weeks now. It has not gotten worse, and rarely causes me to cough. But it has not gone away either.
Should I be concerned?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you should definitely consult doctor.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, you should should definitely consult doctor.
At your age of 64 years, heart diseases (coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure) and lung diseases (bronchitis) cancer cause similar kind of chest heaviness.
So better to consult doctor and get done
1. Blood pressure monitoring, ecg, 2d echo and stress test (trade mill test) to rule out heart diseases.
2. Clinical examination of respiratory system and PFT (pulmonary function test) to rule rule out bronchitis.
Please let me know
1. Do you have diabetes or hypertension?
2. Are you taking any drugs at present?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)

Thank you for your response. I do not have hypertension or diabetes, and I am not taking any medication. or drugs.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you smoke?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Please let me know
1. Do you smoke at present?
2. Do you have history of smoking in the past?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (35 minutes later)

i smoke cigars. Approx 5 per week.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have breathlessness or chest congestion?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
So you are active smoker.
So we should should definitely rule out bronchitis in your case.
So please let me know
1. Do you have breathlessness?
2. Do you have chest congestion?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (24 minutes later)

I am not experiencing breathlessness. perhaps a bit of chest congestion.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Have you ever undergone chest x ray and PFT?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Have you ever undergone chest x ray?
Have you ever undergone PFT (pulmonary function test)?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 minute later)

I have never had a chest x ray or a PFT

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
First get done chest x ray and PFT.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should get done chest x ray and PFT (pulmonary function test).
You might be having early bronchitis.
And quit smoking as soon as possible.
Please let me know
1. Do you have burning epigastric pain?
Please reply me answer of above asked question, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 hours later)

Yes. I have had problems with burning epigastric pain.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Are you taking any drug for this burning?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are smoker, having burning epigastric pain and heaviness in chest, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can be the cause.
GERD is due to laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter. Because of this the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause symptoms of chest tightness, pressure, heaviness, belching, burping, burning epigastric pain etc.
So please let me know
1. Are you taking any drug for this?
2. Are you obese?
3. Do you take alcohol?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T